Postmodernism in Educational Theory
Subtitle: Education and the Politics of Human Resistance
Contributors: Dave Hill (Editor); Peter McLaren (Editor); Mike Cole (Editor); Glenn Rikowski (Editor)
Publisher: Tufnell Press
Published: September 8, 1999
Place of publication: London
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 240
ISBN-13: 9781872767819
Subjects: POLITICS & GOVERNMENT; Philosophy of education; Postmodernism; Social & political philosophy
Description: Postmodernism has become the orthodoxy in educational theory, particularly in feminist educational theory. It heralds the end of grand theories like Marxism and liberalism, scorning any notion of a united feminist challenge to patriarchy, of united anti-racist struggle and of united working-class movements against capitalist exploitation and oppression. For postmodernists, the world is fragmented, history is ended, and all struggles are local and particularistic.

Written by leading and internationally renowned British and North American socialist and Marxist thinkers and activists, Postmodernism in Educational Theory poses a serious challenge to this postmodern orthodoxy. Authors critically examine the infusion of postmodernism and theories of postmodernity into educational theory, policy and research. In addition, issues such as social class, 'race' and racism, gender, education policy and policy analysis, youth, and capital and commodification are addressed.

Writers in the book argue that despite the claims of self-styled 'postmodernists of resistance', postmodernism provides neither a viable educational politics, nor a foundation for effective radical educational practice. In place of postmodernism, the book outlines a 'politics of human resistance' which puts the challenge to capital(ism) and its attendant inequalities firmly on the agenda of educational theory, politics and practice.
Table of contents: title: Introduction.; title: Postmodernism in Educational Theory, Glenn Rikowski and Peter McLaren.; title: Structuring the Postmodern in Education Policy	, Michael W. Apple and Geoff Whitty.; title: Into the Hands of Capital: the Deluge of Postmodernism and the Delusions of Resistance Postmodernism, Mike Cole and Dave Hill.; title: Education, Capital and the Transhuman, Glenn Rikowski.; title: Youth, Training and the Politics of ‘Cool’, Michael Neary,.; title: Education Theory and the Return to Class Analysis, Mike Sanders, Dave Hill and Ted Hankin.; title: Racism, Postmodernism and the Flight from Class, Jenny Bourne.; title: Postmodernism and Feminism: The Road to Nowhere, Jane Kelly.; title: Critical Pedagogy, Postmodernism, and the Retreat from Class: Towards a Contraband Pedagogy,  Peter McLaren and Ramin Farahmandpur.; title: Postmodernism Adieu: Towards a Politics of Human Resistance, Peter McLaren, Dave Hill and Mike Cole.